Custom Protein sample cell designed for Cornell researchers combines improved through put with ease of use.   
   
An important and new technique in protein structure determination in solution is made possible with bio-molecular Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (BioSAXS). Its application is increasing exponentially, and provides a powerful tool which, when used in combination with other techniques, allows elucidation and correlation of the functional and structural domains of different classes of proteins and protein complexes in solution. The Macromolecular Diffraction Facility at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (MacCHESS) is pioneering this technique.   
   
The tedious task of filling and sealing precious samples of concentrated protein is simplified with an easy-to-use cell, designed and developed by ALine in collaboration with Nozomi Ando, a graduate student in Sol Gruner’s group at Cornell University.   
   
A thin sheet of mica is attached to either side by removing the liner covering the adhesive film on the top and bottom of the disk. The channel leading from the outer edge to the center is used for sample introduction, and the notches on either side facilitate insertion into the synchrotron.